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“Your kind wishes and comments are greatly appreciated. The past reminiscences and support of family and friends help tremendously in a difficult time...Read More »
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1 of 9 | Posted by: Susan Riggs Runge - Chapel Hill, NC

“Dear Uncle Orval, Cousins Susan and Dianne - I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of Aunt Inez. I will always remember her as very "classy". ...Read More »
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2 of 9 | Posted by: Francie LaCoss Posey - Elverta, CA

“So Sorry- A great lady and cousin. We will miss her
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4 of 9 | Posted by: ralph and billie joseph - AR

“Susan,
I hope and pray that you find the peace and comfort that you need at this moment. please send my condolences to your family.
Aida
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5 of 9 | Posted by: Aida - Chapel Hill, NC

“Dr. Runge,
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Let me know if there is...Read More »
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6 of 9 | Posted by: Natasha Watts - Ramseur, NC

“Dr. Runge and family:
My prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
”
8 of 9 | Posted by: Maria Cermak - Burlington, NC

“Dear Inez, You and I were Arkansas Tech Classmates in 1942 We were collegues and worked as NYA administration students in the College Library where...Read More »
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9 of 9 | Posted by: Colonel Carl F. Baswell, US Army Retired - AR

InezWaldronRiggs died Wednesday March 28, 2012 in Austin, Texas after a brief illness. She was born Helen InezWaldron in Black Rock, AR to parents R.C. and Lucille Waldron in September 1922. She grew up in Walnut Ridge, AR, attended Arkansas Tech and graduated from the University of Arkansas where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She married Orval Elmo Riggs of Walnut Ridge, AR in 1942. She and Orval lived in Kansas City KA, Oakland CA, Dayton, OH, Morgantown WV, and Clarksburg WV at various times in their lives, and Inez made a home and friendships wherever they settled.

Inez was a beloved wife, mother and grandmother and she will be sorely missed by her family and many friends. More than anything else, Inez was dedicated to her family. She spent nearly every waking hour making sure her husband Orval and their children – Susan, Tommy and Dianne - were doing well. Her caring and concern lasted long into their adult lives. She made their needs her needs. She instilled in each of her children the importance of education, of religion and the importance of growing up to be a good person. Every visit to her home or to the homes of her children was accompanied by tins of her homemade chocolate chip cookies, cheese straws and brownies. Not a Christmas or Halloween or Easter or birthday of any of her children or their spouses or any of her nine grandchildren passed without receiving a card from Inez and Orval.

Inez was also active outside her home. She taught elementary school in Jonesboro, AR 1960-1966 and was actively involved throughout her life with her college sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma. She and Orval were loyal members of the First United Methodist Church in Little Rock and Little Rock Country Club until their move to Austin last fall.

She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Orval E. Riggs MD. Of their wedding day, Orval wrote that it was "the most important and significant day of his life," and she remained his one true love. She is also survived by her brother, Thomas Steadman Waldron of Walnut Ridge AR , two daughters, Dianne Riggs Espinoza of Austin TX and Susan Riggs Runge MD of Chapel Hill NC , their families, and the family of her son, Tommy. She was predeceased by her son, Thomas Richard "Tommy" Riggs MD of Austin, TX and her sister, Camille Ellis of Little Rock, AR.

A graveside service will be held Monday, April 2 at 11:00 a.m. at Austin Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the charity of your choice.

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Dear Uncle Orval, Cousins Susan and Dianne - I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of Aunt Inez. I will always remember her as very "classy". Francie Posey

Posted by: Francie LaCoss Posey - Elverta, CA - niece Apr 10, 2012

To Dr. Orval and Family,
My mother was Mardell Brunson Schaefer. I believe the two fo you grew up together. Mother mentioned the Riggs family so much, partly because she grew up so close to all of you,(across the railroad!) and partly because they were so many of you!!!
Your lovely wife and I took an education course together about 1961 or 1962 at Arkansas State. It might have been one of Mildred Vance's classes! I remember that Inez walked in and

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To Dr. Orval and Family,
My mother was Mardell Brunson Schaefer. I believe the two fo you grew up together. Mother mentioned the Riggs family so much, partly because she grew up so close to all of you,(across the railroad!) and partly because they were so many of you!!!
Your lovely wife and I took an education course together about 1961 or 1962 at Arkansas State. It might have been one of Mildred Vance's classes! I remember that Inez walked in and sat down. I thought she was one of the most beautiful and elegant ladies I had ever seen, with her beautiful blond hair done up for the summer with a blue ribbon and her blue and white pin stripe ensemble! At break, she came over and introduced herself to me and told me she knew who I was--that you and my mother had grown up together. Of course, then, I knew who she was! What a super lady she was. I think she must have blessed many students' lives, as well as you and your family. She was always the soul of kindness and grace. What a change from seeing the other students in class ---we must have been 18 and 19 years old and had only ourselves to think of !!!! We knew she had a family to take care of, but she was always on time and well prepared!!!!
Bless all of you for all the wonderful things you have done for people---we have lovely memories of the Riggs family, and Inez, in particular! Best wishes, always, from the family of John and Mardell Brunson Schaefer and Jim and MArjorie Schaefer Goff.

Dear Inez, You and I were Arkansas Tech Classmates in 1942 We were collegues and worked as NYA administration students in the College Library where Ms Myrtle Roush was the Librarian and Ms Edna Hood Ferguson was the Assistant. After a successful military career of 32 years followed by a second career now into 38 years in international construction, I have been fortunate enough to finiancially support Tech in the construction of a student dormitory and entrance to the football

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Dear Inez, You and I were Arkansas Tech Classmates in 1942 We were collegues and worked as NYA administration students in the College Library where Ms Myrtle Roush was the Librarian and Ms Edna Hood Ferguson was the Assistant. After a successful military career of 32 years followed by a second career now into 38 years in international construction, I have been fortunate enough to finiancially support Tech in the construction of a student dormitory and entrance to the football field, named BASWELL HALL and more recently a new student center that replaced the old TECHIONERY and NOW named "BASWELL TECHIONERY" with the students calling it "'BAZ-TECH". I consider these additions to the TECH campus to all be in honor of our Class of 1942. May you rest in peace in heaven after your fine service to family and community here on the this great earth and our United States of America. Carl F. Baswell